Summer 2025 RV Volunteer - Visitor Center Assistant

The primary goal of this position is to assist refuge staff with operations at the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Exact days of week on duty may vary, but generally include working on weekends. Position start and end dates are negotiable.

Site Information: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge welcomes over 17,000 visitors to the visitor center each year. The refuge is located about 8 miles southwest of Folkston, GA, which has a small downtown with restaurants, a library, convenience stores, and a grocery store. Larger towns like Waycross, Kingsland, and St. Marys are about 45 minutes away, and Jacksonville, FL is about an hour’s drive. The refuge offers over 407,000 acres of wet prairies, cypress swamp, and upland habitats with wildlife like alligators, birding opportunities, camping platforms located on water trails, walking and biking trails, a boardwalk to an observation tower, and the historic Chesser Island Homestead. Visit the Okefenokee NWR website to learn more about the refuge.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists with day-to-day visitor center operation including opening and closing duties.
• Welcome and greet visitors, provide orientation, and answer visitor questions at the front desk and over the phone. You would also cover topics regarding the refuge, safety precautions, rules and regulations, recreational opportunities, and more.
• Operation of a cash register, restocking inventory and brochures.
• May assist with a variety of other duties depending on refuge needs and interest and skills of the volunteer including educational programs, light cleaning, emptying trash containers, and providing interpretive services.

Qualifications

• Experience interacting professionally with the public in a fast-paced environment, both in person and over the phone.
• Ability to quickly learn and accurately communicate refuge-specific information about recreational activities, rules, policies, and safety information.
• Comfortable with operating a cash register, processing sales transactions, and reconciling a cash drawer.
• Punctual, dependable, and capable of following opening/closing procedures and maintaining a clean, organized visitor area.

Working Environment and Safety Considerations: Work is typically performed inside in an air-conditioned visitor center, but some duties may take place outside. Summer and fall temperatures range from 60°F to over 100°F, with humidity making it feel over 110°F. Volunteers working outside may be exposed to weather conditions including direct sunlight, heat, humidity, and rain; biting or stinging insects, and occasionally wildlife such as snakes or alligators. Risks include cuts, scrapes, bruises, and burns. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided as needed.

Hours and Time Commitment: 24 hours/week of service for couples and 32 hours/week for individuals.

Housing and Amenities: Concrete RV pads are available with electric, water, sewer, and propane. Laundry facilities are available onsite. Cell coverage varies by service provider. Pets are allowed but must not be left outside unattended.

Age and Uniform Requirements: Must be over the age of 18 to drive a government vehicle and over the age of 21 to use certain equipment. All volunteers are required to wear an official volunteer uniform with a name tag. Volunteers will be provided with a set of shirts. Volunteers must provide their own pants/jeans/shorts and choose appropriate clothing for each task and weather. Volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes when on duty.

When applying, please provide contact information for three references. Two references should be professional. If applying as couple, please provide both applicant names.